The Piaget Emperador Cushion-Shaped Ultra-Thin Minute Repeater in 18K white gold, unveiled at this year’s SIHH, represents the pinnacle of Piaget’s dual mastery — ultra-thin watchmaking and high jewelry craftsmanship. Adorned with over 300 diamonds, this limited edition elevates the world’s thinnest automatic minute repeater to a dazzling level of elegance and complexity.
Despite its 48mm cushion-shaped case, which gives an impression of heft, the watch feels remarkably slim and refined on the wrist, with exceptional comfort and ergonomic balance.
At its heart beats the Piaget Caliber 1290P, an ultra-thin minute repeater movement just 4.8mm thick, developed from the famous 1200P caliber. The thinnest gear measures only 0.12mm, and some components are a mere 0.07mm thick. Through the sapphire caseback, one can admire the exquisite hand-finished decorations — beveled bridges, sunburst brushing, circular graining, and satin-polished edges, all executed to the highest standards of haute horlogerie.
Activating the minute repeater via the lever at 9 o’clock triggers the meticulously tuned steel hammers and integrated gongs, achieving a resonant sound pressure level of no less than 64 decibels. The hour chime resonates in a G♯ tone, while the minute chime strikes in A♯, creating a clear, melodic harmony that embodies Piaget’s pursuit of acoustic perfection.
To optimize resonance, the case interior is carefully hollowed out, supported by four structural arms connecting it to the movement, ensuring ideal sound transmission. Comprising 69 individual components, the case alone requires 1,400 hours of craftsmanship.
In the realm of gem-setting, the bezel features 60 baguette-cut diamonds, while the case sides and repeater slide are adorned with 260 round-cut diamonds. The crown is set with 12 baguette-cut diamonds, and the diamond setting process alone demands over 100 hours of meticulous work. Each stone’s weight and placement are precisely calculated to maintain both aesthetic balance and optimal sound quality.
Though its 40-hour power reserve may seem modest, the convenience of automatic winding makes this minute repeater far more practical than traditional manual-wind models. Given its extraordinary complexity, only five pieces of this horological masterpiece will be produced.
Piaget Emperador Cushion-Shaped Ultra-Thin Minute Repeater Limited Edition
18K white gold case, 48mm diameter, 9.4mm thickness, set with 260 round brilliant-cut diamonds (≈2.8 ct), 60 baguette-cut diamonds (≈7 ct), and 12 baguette-cut diamonds (≈0.4 ct) on the crown. Powered by Caliber 1290P, ultra-thin automatic minute repeater movement, 44 jewels, 21,600 vph, and 40-hour power reserve.
